Blending foods

Does Blending Foods Make Them More Nutritious?

Required reading for smoothie addicts

Does Blending Foods Make Them More Nutritious?Required reading for smoothie addicts

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you know that America is in the midst of a serious blender bender—the smoothie craze has officially swept the nation. But watch out: Some companies may be taking advantage of your blender obsession. They’re claiming that certain blenders "unlock" nutrients that your body couldn't get otherwise—a claim that nutritionist Keri Gans, author of The Small Change Diet, says simply isn't true.

"It's just a marketing ploy to get you to buy their product," she cautions. "There aren’t any scientific studies that prove that blending foods releases nutrients that wouldn’t be released when you chew them normally," she says. In fact, she says that at its core, the claim doesn’t even make sense. "Your body breaks down food during digestion more than a blender could anyway."

That said, just because the claim is misleading doesn’t mean you should ditch your blender. It can still help you prepare healthful dishes that taste good. "Hey, if making a smoothie or a juice gets you to eat more fruits and veggies than you would otherwise—whether it’s because it's more convenient or because you have trouble chewing your food otherwise or because it's just fun—then I fully support your mission," says Gans. "Go for it."

But remember: Smoothie calories can add up fast. "When you put things in a blender, you're not blending the calories away," says Gans. In other words, since it's easy to blend several servings of fruits, veggies, nut butter, milk, and more into one smoothie, you can end up taking in way more calories than you realize—so be sure to supervise your sips. These healthy smoothie recipes are a safe bet.